Cornwall,ancient and modern., a photo from Cornwall, England

Photographer's Note

Not far from the North Cornwall coast you will find this windblown ancient Oak tree,nestling beneath it in the distance are some much more modern buildings,this is GCHQ Bude, formerly known as the the GCHQ Composite Signals Organisation Station (CSOS) Morwenstow, it is a satellite ground station located on the north Cornwall coast between the small villages of Morwenstow and Coombe, UK operated by the British signals intelligence service (GCHQ) on the site of the former World War II airfield, RAF Cleave.

Staff are drawn from GCHQ (UK) and the NSA (U.S.) and the station is operated under the UKUSA agreement.

The station comprises twenty one satellite antennas of various sizes (including three that have a diameter of 30 m) that could theoretically cover all the main frequency bands: L band, C band, Ku band, X band, Ka band and V band. Calculated on the basis of their position, their elevation and their compass (azimuth) angle the antennae are generally orientated towards satellites of the INTELSAT, INTERSPUTNIK and INMARSAT communications networks over the Atlantic Ocean, Africa and the Indian Ocean, as well as towards the Middle East and mainland Europe. The activities of GCHQ Bude usually remain classified, however, partly in response to concerns expressed by some EU member states that Morwenstow is responsible for industrial espionage and the interception of civilian communications, a report by the European Parliament was made public in 2001 that provides some details about the station.

https://publicintelligence.net/gchq-bude/

gildasjan, tyro, snunney, jhm, cornejo, PaulVDV, holmertz, unclehotshot, delpeoples, daddo, papagolf21, Didi έχουν(ει) επιλέξει αυτή τη σημείωση ως χρήσιμη

Critiques | Translate

gildasjan (43826) 2015-04-28 1:17

Bonjour Leslie
Un trθs bon cadrage de cette image avec ce ciel qui habille bien le ciel.La lumiθre est trθs agrιable.
Bonne journιe
Amicalement
Gildas

Royaldevon (75378) 2015-04-28 1:25

Hello Leslie,

I am an avid fan of winter trees and this is not only a beauty in its own right but you have caught it at a perfect time, when it is gilded by the low sun and casting exquisite shadows across the turf.
The pathway is well placed between the tree and the barn, making a natural link to the hilltop, satellite station.

Have a lovely day,
Bev :-)

tyro (30513) 2015-04-28 1:59

Hello Les,

What a remarkable coincidence - I've just written a forum message to you which includes those very words, "Ancient and Modern"!

Anyway, you have written a very interesting note about this place and the clandestine activities which go on at CSOS here. Those strange modern structures on the horizon do give us something to look at in the distance and clearly are a notable feature on the landscape here but my eye is naturally more attracted to the beautiful old leaning oak tree which so perfectly frames them in this fine composition. The light on the tree is sublime as also is it on the rough stonework of the simple building on the right. The roadway provides a perfect "lead in" to the picture too.

Lovely warm late winter evening light and colours, perfect exposure and exquisite details and sharpness.

Beautiful!

Kind Regards,

John.

Gerrit (59968) 2015-04-28 2:03

Hello Leslie,
fantastic photo and marvelous tree. The combination of the old road, house and tree and the futuristic elements on the horizon is striking.
The light is wonderful.
thanks and regards,
Gerrit

snunney (130967) 2015-04-28 3:44

Hello Les,
I trust that you are preparing for an influx of visitors in your part of the world now that Poldark has drawn to a close:-) One can see here why Cornwall is already so popular with visitors. I like this composition; the windswept tree overarching the road makes a fine natural window for the beautiful landscape beyond. The image is pleasantly illuminated and has very good colours and clarity.

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2015-04-28 3:54

Hello Leslie,
Very impressive photo with spectacular composition of this impressive tree. I like your colours and light.
best wishes,
Achim

jhm (203003) 2015-04-28 4:30

Hello Leslie,

A very well rural picture with all the antennas in background.
The tree is the real eye catcher in centre of the picture.
Colours and decoration of the part of the walls.
Composition and depth are wonderful.
Very well done, TFS,

Best regards,
John

sabermonajati (11533) 2015-04-28 4:37

hi
this tree has a nice form and you captured amazing frame.
regard
saber

Sergiom (117241) 2015-04-28 5:26

Bonjour Leslie,

Un beau contraste entre l'ancien et le moderne avec ces soucoupes immenses en arriθre plan. Mais ce qui surprend le plus, c'est la courbure de l'arbre. Probablement beaucoup de vent ΰ cet endroit.

Amicalement

Serge

cornejo (61504) 2015-04-28 9:24

Hello Les, very good picture of this interesting composition with a nice light, very well captured in this interesting image with good sharpness, depth, light, color and quality. Very good and interesting job well done, congratulations my friend. Thanks for sharing this beautiful work.

Good night and happy week.
All the best from southern Spain.
Angel.

dta (98542) 2015-04-28 10:22

hello Leslie ,
A s you say this is a stunning contrast between modern and ancient . The composition is splendid , with the amazing tree on the left , the stoned house on the right , and the road leading us to the landscape in the BG . A superb warm light , too .
Regards

PaulVDV (54853) 2015-04-28 10:39

Hello Leslie,
A bit an unusual sight with the many satellite antennas on the horizon. But indeed a combination of 'ancient and modern', of 'nature and civilization'.
To me the actual eye-catcher is the big tree with its special shape and its branches reaching over the road. Also with the beautiful play of light and shadow on the branches. This oak is the most photogenic before it has leaves as it still was in the beginning of March.
Best regards, Paul

holmertz (92852) 2015-04-28 11:33

Hello Leslie,
You write an interesting background story about those interesting white structures seen in the background. But I am sure everyone will agree that the old oak is a lot more beautiful. It's a truly impressive tree with a marvellous shape, formed by centuries of strong winds. I love the colours and the fantastic light of this photo.
Kind regards,
Gert

No_One (4) 2015-04-28 11:58

Hi Les,
That is an amazing looking tree, it's taken it a longtime to reach that far over the hedge. This could easily be a creature from a fantasy movie. To then read your note as to the buildings in the distance and there purpose is such a surprise, brilliant way to combine the two. The low light has brought out such cool details in the tree giving it real personality. Nice one.
Cheers
Noel

lousat (129957) 2015-04-28 12:19

Hi Les,a very original pic and the title is the best for this composition,the tree is the main protagonist,and it's nice to see the contrast among the old walls and the modern antennae so big in background,beautiful work! Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

mesutilgim (0) 2015-04-29 2:23

Hello Leslie,
Nice capture from Cornwall taken with perfect pov.
The majestic tree at the center creates a perfect effect. Many interesting and usefull notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

unclehotshot (4004) 2015-04-29 5:36

Hello Les
Great panoramic shot with the "charismatic" oak tree leaning towards the old stone house. Very Cornish indeed. It's a beautiful day, the composition is grand, and the GCHQ Bude
in the BG contributess to the photo.
Cheers Frank

adores (46979) 2015-04-30 16:08

Hi Leslie!
It's really an interesting contrast that makes us think about how fast things are changing (our montains are also getting overcrowded with wind farms) I like the composition, especially the shape of the tree and the architecture of the building. Nice soft light!

delpeoples (60326) 2015-05-01 3:20

Dear Les

What an unusual - and very beautiful = tree. It's textures are fabulous and the way it's leaning you can tell that the wind really wuthers around the place. Beautiful golden light illuminating the ancient brickwork on the right and the Rule of Thirds framing has been judged perfectly.

Hugs to you both
Lisa

daddo (28728) 2015-05-03 5:48

Hi Leslie. I know some of the people getting nighted can be controversial. If I was the Queen, I'd choose this tree, a real battler, a survivor and a grand old man (sorry, sounds better than dame) which defies gravity in old age. I love trees and this one deserved your attention. Regards. Klaudio.

npecanhuk (79329) 2015-05-03 5:50

Hi Leslie!
Very beautiful tree!
Very attractive picture too!
Sharpness, exposure, colors, horizontal format, chosen pov and composition are all excellent!
I love it!
TFS - congrats,
Enjoy your Sunday,
Neyvan

papagolf21 (152599) 2015-05-25 2:20

Bonjour, Leslie,
J'aime votre faηon de photographie et de mettre de la poιsie dans vos compositions.
au loin, l'on semble distinguer des paraboles qui rappellent que nous sommes au 21e siθcle.
Trθs bonne journιe.
Amitiιs.
Philippe

Didi (61589) 2015-07-22 22:35

Hi Leslie
Very nice view with this original tree
I went in this place 30 years ago
Very good winter lights ambiance
Best regards

Photo Information

Copyright: Leslie Bennett (williewhistler) (16606)
Genre: Τοποθεσίες
Medium: Έγχρωμο
Date Taken: 2015-03-07
Categories: Αρχιτεκτονική
Camera: NikonD300s, 10-20mm f/4-5.6 DC EX
Έκθεση: f/5.6, 1/320 δευτερόλεπτα
More Photo Info: view
Έκδοση φωτογραφίας: Πρωτότυπη έκδοση
Date Submitted: 2015-04-28 1:14

Viewed: 1330

Points: 46

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